The field dimensions shall be approximately 55 yards (goal line) by 70 yards (touchline).

MARKINGS

-Halfway line with a center mark at its midpoint.

-Center circle with a radius of 8 yards from the center mark.

-Penalty area is marked by two lines drawn at right angles to the goal line, 14 yards from inside each goal post and 14 yards from the goal line parallel with the touch lines. The box is completed by a penalty line connecting those two lines parallel to the goal line.

-Penalty mark is 10 yards from midpoint between the goal posts off a line parallel to the touchlines.

-Penalty arc is 8 yards from the penalty mark and outside the penalty area

-Goal area is marked by two lines drawn at right angles to the goal line, 6 yards from inside each goal post, extending into the field of play for 6 yards parallel to the touchlines. These lines are joined by a line drawn parallel to the goal line.

Each team must field no fewer than seven (7) players and no more than nine (9) players in order of a 9v9 match to begin or continue. One player on each team must be a goalkeeper.

A team is permitted to willingly and intentionally play shorthanded with fewer than nine (9) players but no fewer than seven (7) players, on of whom must be a goalkeeper.

The maximum roster size for the Grade 5/6 is 15 players.

DURATION OF PLAY

All matches shall consist of two 30 minute halves, with a half-time interval of 5 minutes.

8-YARD RULE

Opposing players shall be at least 8 yards from the ball on kick-off, corner kicks, direct kicks, and indirect free kicks, rather than the 10 yards as normally required for 11v11 play. On goal kicks opposing players are only required to be outside the penalty area.

GOALKEEPER DISTRIBUTION

After a goalkeeper takes possession and distributes the ball (e.g. by throw, punt, dropkick, etc.), the ball must next touch a player or the field prior to entering the penalty area of the opposing team or there is a loss of the ball. Play restarts with an indirect free kick at the half way line.

GOAL KICK

The goal kick shall be taken in the goal area. The ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of the penalty area. Opposing players must stand outside the penalty area until the ball is in play or the goal kick is retaken. After a goal kick is taken, the ball must next touch a player or the field prior to entering the penalty area of the opposing team or there is a loss of the ball. Play restarts with an indirect free kick at the halfway line.

NO HEADING

NVYSL prohibits heading by players during matches in the Grade 5/6 division. Coaches are not permitted to coach a player to head during a match. An infraction by any player who deliberately heads or attempts to head the ball will result in the opposing team being awarded an indirect free kick at the spot of the infraction. If the heading infraction is committed by a defending player inside the goal area or the penalty area, the indirect free kick shall be taken from the point on the penalty line nearest the spot of the infraction. Any goal scored as a result of the deliberate heading shall be disallowed.